Leopard server on MacPro ?

The XServe is a rack mount piece of kit - (and trust me on this from experience) a pain in the arse to use. (Noise and awkward size).

You are better off with the Mac Pro (unless you need rack mount kit).

Leopard Server will run fine on a Mac Pro (I have a friend using it in his company as a file server).

The Mac Pro has all the benefits of a desktop whereas upgrading the XServe will not be so nice (try getting a couple of graphics cards in there lol)

Thats my advice (I am sure someone will disagree but at least you will have the benfit of multiple points of view)

 

you can just get leopard server pre-installed on the mac pro when purchasing.

and i dont disagree with costabunny.
the macpro is a better option

 

The Leopard Server pre-installed option is on the customisation page. Just look more carefully

 

here it is

and the Xserve is flat but large. its 17.5 X 30 (inches) according to apple

and i see no reason to wait for a new macpro. they just recently bumped the specs up, and the max speeds are faster than that of an xserve. so you're getting a better value by getting better specs.

what exactly are you planning on using the server for?

 

As a workgroup server a Mac Pro is dandy. It's when you start considering implementing a number of Mac Pro's in dedicated server rooms that the advantages of the Xserve starts to become apparent such as enterprise equipment being rack mount standard, machine density in the room etc - getting the most bang for your buck when utilising that dedicated machine space.

Good luck with your server!

 

I don't have experience with the Xserve personally, this is speaking more of generalizations when it comes to a 1U enclosure vs. other enclosures.

Due to the depth & height of a Xserve you have to get really small fans with really high RPMs to move the air front to back the 28" inches 1U servers traditionally are depth wise.

This means high pitch, whiney, loud ass fans. Best suited in a room whree no humans that can hear are.

Since the Mac Pro is a much larger tower it can use much larger and higher volume fans at a lower RPM which means silent systems. So if you have to sit next to it all day, the Mac Pro is a better option.

They both run the server OS just fine. I view the Mac Pro as a better solution in a small office environment because it can hold more inside storage wise, is less expensive, and more office friendly. The Xserve to me is a datacenter/hosting center centric machine.

 

Sure enough, I hit the Apple Store Australia site and OS X Server is not an option with the Mac Pro. I wonder why?

Oh well, it should be easy enough to install, I imagine.

 

Yes. No.

I have Leopard Server running on an MBP in my office, serving NetInstalls with no problem.